The Odessa American from Odessa, Texas • 10

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1970 THE ODESSA AMERICAN LGE 10-B "W'T 'w it-. Si j'hl'XX'iti: ill 'pi'. S'ii'P I'l I.FI...L .1 I I 1 ii, I ii 9 'II 'liii: in Hi i i XX' -i 1 V' Xt i 1 I''." i 1 xx xt i ji 7 '''Sill ffijiiHI i iJf 1 -'liiiiiisiiiiiyi i illUh .1. ill Kill JL "-r-J rr f- 1 1 Debris JLf fers Sfreefs Woce Of Killer Tornado Which Devasted Lubbock ii rN I I i By MIKE COCHRAN and TOM DcCOLA Associated Press Writers an act of Nature I've ever seen." And U.S. Rep.

George Mahon cf Lubbock: Damaged Great Plains Life Building "I'm astounded at the immensity of the damages. I couldn't believe the preliminary reports." Hilary Sandoval, director of the Small Business Administration and a Texan: "I saw what was left after hurricane Camille and this is just as bad as that." "The worst 1 ever saw," said state Rep. H.J. "Doc" Blan-chard of Lubbock. And Lt.

Gov. Ben Barnes, -stricken-with a- badJbackstep--ped from a helicopter and announced quietly that "this is one of the worst tornadoes in Texas history as far as damage is concerned." But, he added, It was simply a "miracle" that with such widespread damage an eight mile strip of utter destruction There were problems. Sightseers clogged the roads and hindered some vital operations in the black, dangerous night following the storrch As always, some looting was reported. National guardsmen were called in to thwart the illegal efforts tempted by blownout store frait windows. The guardsmen carried weapons, whether enforcing street blockades or directing women and children to food and milk facilities.

Some people pitched in to help restore their ravaged Amarillo Globe-Times published the paper for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal -which-suf- fered extensive storm damage While many helped, others just stood by, wondering if it was worth it. Dismay and disbelief were universal. Sen. John Tower, shaking his head grimly as he surveyed the incredible devastation, declared: "I dont think anyone can visualize this until they've seen it. It is the worst damage from "i aon mime anyone can visualize this until they've seen it.

It is the worst damage from A poor, predominantly Mexican-American section turned into a tomb for some. And others died in the wreckage of homes near- the Lubbock Country Club. Utilitarian warehouses were -ripped apart. So were sleek, new downtown office buildings. A 20-story building downtown yielded to the savage pounding and gave a little.

Officials cordoned off the area for fear that the structure mightx-topple. It still might. Thousands were left homeless, some injured but alive. Hin-dreds of these ended up in the coliseum on the Tech campus, -accepting with various degrees of appreciation the- free food and shelter offered therer" Trucks and railroad cars were blown over. Private planes-moored -at the West Texas Air Terminal were flipped and left to lie on the concrete like dead bugs.

Some schools closed. Another was transformed into a temporary morgue. Laborers were un-distinguishable from executives as Lubbock residents pitched in to clean up after the ruthless storm. as Lubbock residents pitcnea in to clean up after the ruthless storm. Mar 11, 1970.

untilafter 9:45 p.m., when an ugly black tornado turned this South Plains city of 170,000 into a stunned shambles. Although It's located within Texas' famed tornado alley, Lubbock had escaped killer tornadoes until Monday The twister killed at least 23, but those who saw the havoc reaked by the deadly funnel -marveled at the fact that the -toll was so low. The twister started "slowly bending three' of the brand new high intensity light standards at Texas Tech's Jones Stadium, while skipping over and around student dormitories. It picked up steam and began picking up roofs as it moved down 4th street. It mined businesses showing no prejudice.

Mickey Mantle's Cookin' went and so did several small hamburger stands. Churches toppled. And bars and motels. small hamburger stands. Churches toppled.

And bars and motels. American Staff Photos By Richard Wright the loss in human life was not more staggering. "We've got 3 lot to be thankful for, despite the catastrophe that has happened." vwe'vegotaioiioDetnaniaui for, despite the catastrophe that has happened." ,1 1 ij 1 J2'--' jj A family Returns To Salvage What They Can Guardsman Surveys Hub City Twister Damage'.